Sunshine Week is a national initiative spearheaded by the American Society of News Editors to educate the public about the importance of open government and the dangers of excessive and unnecessary secrecy. It was established in March 2005 with funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.[1]

Overview
Sunshine Week occurs each year in mid-March, coinciding with James Madison's birthday and National Freedom of Information Day on the 16th.

During Sunshine Week, hundreds of media organizations, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and other participants engage public discussion on the importance of open government through news and feature articles and opinion columns; special Web pages and blogs; infographics; editorial cartoons; public service advertising; public seminars and forums. The purpose of the week is to highlight the fact that "government functions best when it operates in the open."[2] Unfortunately, in many states legislatures exempt themselves from public-records laws, claiming "legislative immunity."[3]

Consensus Response on LWVMI Taxation & Budget Study.LWV delegates to the 2015 state convention approved a study to update the current position on taxation and budgeting so that LWVMI could speak more effectively to a variety of government finance issues. In recent months there has also been a growing awareness of the severe financial stress faced by many local units of government and of the complex inter-relationship between state and local governments. Martha Sloan, state study committee member will facilitate the unit meeting, Mon. Feb. 27th. A background and questions document accompanies the e-mail version of this Voter.

National Popular Voter.
The National Popular Vote Initiative will be examined in a program by The League of Women Voters of the Copper Country held in the community room of the Portage Lake District Library at 6:30pm on Thursday, December 8th.

The US League of Women Voters has had a position calling for abolishing the Electoral College since 1970. In 2008 the League conducted a study of the NPV Compact proposal. The 2010 Convention amended the national position to support the National Popular Vote compact as another method of selecting the President until such time as the Electoral College is abolished. Join us to learn more about the pros and cons of this issue and where it stands today.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016
7:00 PM

Board Meeting - cancelled.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

Saturday, November 5, 2016
Due by 2:00pm

November general election absentee ballot requests must be received by 2:00 pm.

LWV Taxation and Budgeting Position Education Meeting.
LWV delegates to the 2015 state convention approved this study to update the current position on taxation and budgeting so that LWVMI could speak more effectively to a
variety of government finance issues. In recent months there has also been a growing awareness of the severe financial stress faced by many local units of government and of the complex inter-relationship between state and local governments.

Candidate Forum hosted by the Republican and Democratic parties..
The Ontonagon County Democratic Party and the Ontonagon County Republican Party joined forces in coordinating a candidate forum. This will involve both candidates for the 1st Congressional District, Democrat Lon Johnson and Republican Jack Bergman. The forum will also include both candidates for Michigan's 110th State Representative Seat, Democrat Scott Dianda and Republican Greg Markkanen.
The forum will take place on at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Ontonagon High School cafeteria. A meet and greet session will run from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. when voters will have the opportunity to meet with not only the forum candidates but also candidates in Ontonagon County contested races.

Houghton County Candidate Forum.
The CCLWV and the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Houghton County candidate forum on Thursday, September 29th from 6:00 + 8:00 pm at Lakeview Manor, 1401 Quincy Street, Hancock, in the community room. The forum is open to the public.

Candidates for the Houghton County contested races will participate in 3 segments: Prosecuting Attorney from 6:05 + 6:30, Sheriff 6:35 + 7:00, and County Commissioner District 1, 2, and 5 7:05 -7:50 pm. There will be a 5 minute break between each segment.

Candidates will have an opportunity for a 1 minute opening remarks, 1 minute response time to answer audience questions, and 1 minute closing remarks.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

National Voter Registration Day.

Friday, September 16, 2016
Noon - 4:00 pm

Michigan Tech Library
Houghton

State of Michigan Secretary of State Mobile Van.
The MI SOS mobile van will help you register to vote from noon to 4:00 pm.

Friday, September 16, 2016
Noon

In front of Husky statue by the Michigan Tech Library. Rain location is East Reading room of the Michigan Tech Library, Houghton.

An Afternoon on the Town.
An Afternoon on the Town is a Michigan Tech event that invites local businesses/services to welcome our students and show them what they have to offer. Starting on campus, down College Avenue, and throughout the downtown Houghton area there will be music, refreshments, giveaways, and prizes for student participants.